Vacuum cleaner



Feb- 1, 1944- s. R. SEVERANCE 2,340,347

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 1, 11944.

G. R. SEV ERANCE VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 6. -1941 s Sheet s-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 6 /92? W. 5e Vera nee Patented Feb. I,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vacuum CLEANER Glen R. Severance, Detroit, Mich assignor to Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application February a, 1941, Serial No. 371,705

s Claims. (01. 15-9) This" invention relates to converters or couplers in the nature of attachments which are adapted to provide a means by which cleaning tools may be operatively connected to a vacuum cleaner ofthe type comprising a casing having a floor cleaning nozzle with a surface covering between the motor of the cleaner and the agitator thereof within the converter does not form a barrier or trap for dirt, lint or threads.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a converter attachmentfor a vacuum cleaner which is adapted to break the communication between the suction creating means and the floor nozzle of the vacuum cleaner; to break the driving connection between the driving means and the surface covering agitator of the vacuum cleaner, and to provide a coupling bymeans of which cleaning tools'may be readily connected to the suction creating means of the cleaner so as to receive substantially the full suction eflect thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a converter attachment for a vacuum cleanerwhich is constructed and arranged so as to be more dependable, emcient and convenient in operation. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved form of converter in the nature of an attachment for vacuum cleaners.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for purposesof illustration. a vacuum cleaner having a motor, suction creating means driven thereby, a port communicating with said suction creating means, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said said nozzle and adriving connection between said motor and said agitator for actuating the same is constructed and arranged so as to have associable therewith a converter in the nature of an attachment forming a coupling member having provisions at its outer end for connecting cleaningv tools thereto. The converter, in the form illustrated', comprises a hollow cylindrical member having one end thereof formed to seat on the port, a surface cleaning a itator associated with for rendering the same inoperative and operative, a latching mechanismwhich'is adapted to releasably'lock the converter in positions where the driving connection and the holding means are operative or inoperative, and a means to deflect lint, threads, etc., from collecting on that part of the driving connection disposed within the converter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following speciflcation taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which there are three sheets, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalview through a portion of a'suction cleaner with which a device embodying my invention may be assoelated;

P18. 2 is a broken away and other parts shown in section,

illustrating one embodiment of the invention and the manner in which it is adapted to be associated with the suction cleaner illustrated in Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line '33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a view generally similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the converter secured or locked to the cleaner;

Fig. 5 is a section through the converter securingmeans taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the converter (of the side opposite to that shown in Figs. 2 and 4) parts .broken away and showing the latching mechanism when the converteris in the position illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8-! of Fig. 6

I looking in the direction of thearrows:

' Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the con- I verter in the position as shown in F131 4 but shown in cross-section so as to illustrate the relationshlp of the belt lifting means of the converter to the belt drive-of the cleaner before the same is disconnected;

Fig: 10 is a cross-section taken along the line 10-40 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction oi the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 butshowing the relationship of the parts of the converter to side elevational view with parts Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 buttaken along the line I4--I4 of Fig. 11 and showing the relationship of the parts of the converter when the belt .is out of driving engagement with the shaft;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the inner sleeve of the converter when the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 13: and

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the inner sleeve of the converter when the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 14.

Referring now to Fig; 1, there is illustrated a part of a floor type vacuum cleaner which comprises a body 26 movably supported by wheels 22 and having an electric motor 24, a suction creating means 26 driven thereby, an intake port or fan eye 26 communicating with the suction creating means, a door nozzle 66 having a surface covering agitator in the 'form of a rotary brush 62 operatively associated with the mouth of nozzle 66 and rotatably supported therein, :a port or aperture 64 in the forward wall of the nozzle 66 and aligned with the port 26, and :a driving connection between the motor 24 and the brush 62 comprising a shaft 66 driven by the motor and a belt 66 arranged in driving relationship with a pulley formed on the end of the shaft 66 and with a pulley formed on the rotary brush 62 for rotating the same. The opening 64 is closed by a removable plate orcover 46 when the floor nozzle 66 and agitator 62 are in use and as is well known in the art, operation' of the motor 24 will actuate the suction creating means 26 and the surface covering agitator 62 and induce a flow of dust and dirt laden air through the mouth of thenole 66, the port 26 and through the suction creating means 26 into a dust collecting receptacle (not shown) associated with the cleaner.

As is best illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, a con-- verter embodying one form of my invention oomprises an outer sleeve 42, an inner sleeve 44, a knob or collar 46 secured to the inner sleeve 44 so as to rotate therewith, a belt litter or belt lifting finger 46 affixed to the inner sleeve 44, a latch mechanism indicated generally: at 66 1 (Fig. 6), and a securing, clamping or holding means indicated generally at 62 (Fig. 10) for securing or holding the converter in operative relationship with the cleaner.

The knob or collar may be secured to the inner sleeve 44 by means of several pins 64 and I6. thelatter of which extends through a 186 degree slot 66 formed in the outer sleeve 42 so as to limit the relative rotation between the inner and outer sleeves to 186 degrees of movement or approximately 1'77 degrees of rotation in a clockwise direction from the position in which the parts are illustrated in Fig. 16. The

- knob 46 of the converter may be provided with av groove 66 ,by means of which .one end of a coupling member (not shown) on the end of flexible hose or cleaning tool (not shown) me? be connected to the converter and thereby operatively connected to the cleaner. and more per-- ticularly to the suction creating means 26 through the port 26 thereof via the passageway provided by the inside of the sleeves 42 and 46.

The latching mechanism (Figs. 6. 7 and 8) comprises a bolt or dog 62 formed on a bar 64 which is supported for reciprocal movement in a guide formed internally of a hollow key 66. The key 66 is rigidly secured at one side of the outer sleeve 42 by pins 66 and I6 and is arranged parallel to the axis thereof. Pin 16 extends through a slot I2 in the plate 64 and a spring I4 confined between pin 66 and one end of the plate 64 biases bolt 62 into a position to engage a notch I6 formed in the periphery of collar 46 on the inside end thereof. A part of the plate 64 is formed as shown at I6 so as to provide a finger engaging portion against which pressure may be ex-'- the bolt 62 when the collar 46 is rotated 180 degrees from the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 6. When the latch mechanism is in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 the securing or holding means 62 are in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, said holding means 62 comprising a member 62 pivoted at 64 to the outside of the sleeve 42 and arranged within a chamber formed by a hollow key 66 which is secured by pins 64 and 66 to the outside of the sleeve 42 on the side opposite to that on which the key 66 is secured. The member 62 has a head 66 thereof formed to engage the inside of the front wall of the nozzle 66 (Fig. 4) above a slot 62, (Fig. 10) formed therein on one side of the opening 64. The head 66 of the member 62 is illustrated in Fig- 2 in a released or inoperative position and is adapted 7 member 62 when the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 2 for holding the head 66 of the securing or holding means in an inoperative position and the collar 46 is held from turning under the tension of the spring 64 by the dog 62 which is engaged in the notch I6 as illustrated in Fig. 6. Release of-the dog 62 from the notch I6 inthe manner heretofore explained will permit rotation ofthe collar 46 with respect to the sleeve 42 and will release the end of the member 62 so as to permit the head 66 thereof to move from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2

to theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 4.

' The end wall 66 of the groove 66 is adapted to bear against the end of member 82 when the sleeve 44 and the parts which rotate therewith are arranged in a position degrees removed from that'in which they are shown in Figs. 2

and 3 for holding the head 66 of the securing or holding means in an operative position and such parts are held against accidental rotation by the dog 62 which at such time is engaged in the notch 66.

The key 66 as previously indicated is arranged on one side of the outer sleeve 42 parallel with the axisthereof and the key 66 is arranged on the opposite side .of' the outer sleeve 42 and parallel to the axis thereof. The key 88 is adapted to project into a slot I02 similar to the, slot 02 but arranged in the front wall of the nozzle 30 on the opposite side'of the aperture 34. The keys 88 and 82 secured to the outside of the outer sleeve 42 provide a means for guiding the outer sleeve when it is inserted into the opening- 34 to the port 28- and prevents relative rotation between the converter unit and the cleaner casing.

The outside circumference of the sleeve 42 is just slightly less than the inside projected circumference of the opening 34 while-the inner end of the sleeve 42 has approximately the same position in which the parts are shown in Fi 13, is inserted into the opening 34 and seated on the port 28. The sleeve 44 is cut away so. as to provide a laterally extending portion IIO which is adapted to overlie the slots I04 and I08 when the parts of the ccnverter are moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 14 except for such portions of the slots I04 and I08 through which the belt 38 passes. For the sake of clarity the belt 38 has been shown somewhat smaller than it actually is' relativeto the converter and in practice the strands of the belt 38 are of such a size as to, occupy substantially the entire portions of the slots I04 and I08 not covered by the portion IIO of the inner sleeve 44. With the parts of the converter unit locked against movement in the position in which they are illustrated in Fig. 2 by thelatching mechanism-80 thereof, and after removal of the plate on the port 28. The inner sleeve 44 is cut away as illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16 so as to not interfere with the belt 38 when the converter, in theagainst tension of the spring 'I4. When the parts of the unit are arranged as illustrated inFigs. 11 and 14, the communication between the mouth of the nozzle 30. and the-port 28 will be cut off by the sleeves 42 and 44 and the belt 38 will have been lifted out of driving relationship with the end of the shaft 38. The belt lifter 48 assumes.

the position with respect to the belt 38 and-shaft 38 substantially (but not exactly) as shown in Fig. 9 when the converter unit is initially inserted into the opening 34 and seated on the port 28.

In this initially inserted position the horizontally extending portion of finger 48, which is of slightly greater width than the diameter of shaft 88, simply projects between the strands of the belt 38- and does not break the driving relationship between the belt 38'and the shaft 38. When the parts of the converter have been moved from the aforesaid initially inserted position to the position in which the parts are shown in Figs. 4, '9 and 10, the converter unit will be clamped to the cleaner as previously described and the belt lifter 48 will be arranged as shown. in Fig. 10 wherein it is engaging one strand of the belt 38 prepara-.

tory to disengaging the same from the shaft 38. However when the parts of the converter are moved to the position illustrated in Figs. 11 and 14 the end of the finger 48 will have moved converter will be locked in such position by dog 82 engaging in notch 80. When the converter unit is in the position illustrated in Fig. 11, by connecting a cleaning tool as previously described through the intermediary of a flexible hose or suction conduit to the outer end of the converter. the entire'suction effect of the suction creating means 28 will be communicated t rough the passageway formed by the converte unit to such cleaning tool.

40. the sleeve 42 of the converter is inserted through the opening 84 in such'a manner that the key 88 will extend through the slot 32 and the key 88 will extendthrough the slot I02. In

this position the axis of the sleeves 42 and 44 will coincide with the axis of the shaft 88. The sleeve 42 is inserted as-far as it will go or to the position as shown in Fig. 2 wherein the end of the sleeve 42 is seated on the port 28. During insertion the strands of the belt 38 will be accommodated within the slots I04 and I08 as shown in Fig; 13. Thereafter by releasing the latch 80 so as to disengage the dog 82 from the notch I8 it will be possible to rotate the knob 48 and inner sleeve 44 which rotates therewith in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2.

By'releasing dog 82 from notch 80 and reversing the operations just described the driving connection between the shaft 38 and the agitator '32 may be reestablished, the securing means which clamp the converter unit to the cleaner may be released, the parts of the converter unit may be locked in released position by the engaging of the dog 82 in the notch I8 and the converter unit may then be withdrawn from the cleaner leavin the nozzle 38 and the agitator 32 in an operative 41, with a deflecting portion 43 and with a belt engaging portion II. The securing portion 41 is shaped to conform to the inner surface of the The first several degrees of rotation of the knob 48 will free the member82 and permit the head 30 thereof to engage the inside wall of the nozzle 30 above the slot 92 therein (Figs. 4 and 10) thereby clamping the converter to the cleaner. Continued rotation of the knob 48 in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 will move the inner sleeve 44 and the knob 48 to theposiend of the converter.

sleeve 44 and is arranged adjacent the air inlet 'I'heportion 41 may be secured, such as by welding, to the inner surface .of the sleeve 44 so as to move therewith. The

deflecting portion 48 is'curved in cross-section as illustrated in Fig. 14 and slopes upwardly and away from the securing portion 41. The portion 48 is of a width throughout the major portion thereof sumcient to shield the shaft 38 and the strands of the belt 88, thereby to deflect lint, dust and threads carried by the air coming into the converter away from the shaft 38 and the belt 38 so as to prevent the collection of such material thereon. The belt engaging portion 8| is curved to conform to the surface of the shaft 36 and is spaced slightly therefrom. This construction and arrangement of the belt liftervthus "serves as a deflector for that part of the driving connection arranged within the converter and occupies but a small part of the effective crosssectional area of the converter. It will be observed that when the converter is originally inserted in the cleaner as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 that the belt lifter 48 does not act as a shield or deflector for the shaft 36 and belt 38 but of course at such time the converter is not in operative position. However, after the converter is secured in operative position as shown in Figs.

, to the assignee of the instant application.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the dee scription is for the purpose of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

I claim:

1. A converter attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner having a driving motor, suction creating means driven thereby and provided with an inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port and having an agitator operatively associated" therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator including a, shaft projecting throuah said port and a belt arranged in driving relationship with said shaft, said attachment comprising a sleeve having provisionfor connecting a suction cleaning tool thereto and adapted to be seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith disposed within saidsleeve, a belt lifter movably arranged within said sleeve and adapted when said sleeve'is initially connected to said 'port to project between the strands of said belt on one side of said sha'ft, said belt lifter being supported so that upon movement relative to said sleeve, said belt lifter. will swing in an arc about said shaft and lift said belt out'of driving engagement therewith, said belt lifter having a portion there'- of disposed on the upstream side of said belt and shaft, which is arranged, whensaid belt is out of driving engagement with said shaft, so as to shield said shaft and said belt from foreign matter carried by the air passing through said sleeve when in use. I v

2. A converter attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner having a driving motor, suction creating meansdriven thereby and provided with an inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port ,and having an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator including a shaft projecting through said port and a belt arrangedin driving relationship with said shaft, said attachment comprising a sleeve having provision for connecting a suctioncleaningtoolthereto and adapted to be seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith" disposed within said sleeve, a belt lifter mbvably arranged within said sleeve and adapted when said sleeve is initially connected to said port to project in the direction of air flow through said sleeve and between the strands of said belt on one side of said shaft, said belt lifter being supported so that upon movement .relative to said sleeve, said belt lifter will swing in an arc about said shaft and lift said belt out of driving engagement therewith, said belt lifter having a portion thereof arranged on the upstream side of said belt and shaft and arranged, when said,

belt lifter is holding said belt out of engagement with said shaft, so as to deflect the air passing through said sleeve and foreign matter carried thereby out of engagement with said belt and shaft.

3. A converter attachment for use with a vac-v uum cleaner having a driving motor, suction creating means driven thereby and provided with an inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port and having an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator including a shaft projecting through said port and a belt arranged in driving relationship with said shaft, said attachment comprising a sleeve having provision for connecting a suction cleaning tool thereto and adapted to be seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith disposed within said sleeve,a belt lifter movably arranged within said sleeve. and adapted when said sleeve is initially connected to said port to project between the strands of said belt on one side of said shaft, said belt lifter being supported so that upon movement relative to said sleeve said belt lifter will swing in an are about said shaft and lift said belt out of driving engagement therewith, said belt lifter having a portion arranged on the upstream side of said belt when said belt is out of engagement with said shaft and so as to extend across that part of said sleeve across which said belt extends.

4. A converter attachment for use with a vacuum cleaner having-a driving motor; suction creating means driven thereby and provided with an inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port and having an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connectionbetween said motor and agitator including a shaft projecting through said port and a belt arranged in driving relationship with said shaft, said attachmentcomprising a' sleeve having provision for connecting a suction cleaning tool" thereto and. adapted to be'seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith disposed within said sleeve, a belt lifter movably arranged within said sleeve and adapted when said belt lifter will swing in an arc about said shaft and lift said belt out of driving engagement therewith, sald belt lifter having a portion arrangedonthe upstream side of and in line with the space between the strands of said belt when said belt is out of engagement with said shaft, so as to prevent foreign matter from collecting on said belt or the end of said shaft.

5. A converter attachment for use with a vacinlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said v suction creating means through said port and having an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator including a shaft projecting uum cleaner having a driving motor. suction creating means driven thereby and provided with an through said port and a, belt arranged in driving belt lifter will swing in an are about said shaft andlift said belt out of driving engagement therewith, said belt lifter having a portion thereof arranged, when said belt lifter is holding said belt out of engagement with said shaft, so as to slope in the direction of air movement through said sleeve from one side thereof toward and across the center and over the end of said shaft.

6. A converter attachment for use with a vacuum' cleaner having a. driving motor, suction creating means driven thereby and provided with an inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port and having an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator including a shaft projecting through said port and a belt arranged in driving relationship with said shaft, said attachment comprising a sleeve having provision for connecting a suction cleaning tool thereto and adapted to be seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith disposed'within said sleeve, a belt lifter movabiy arranged within said sleeve andadapted when said sleeve is initially, connected to said port to project between the strands of said belt on one side of said shaft, said belt lifter being supported so that upon movement relative tosaid sleeve said creating means driven thereby and provided with an' inlet port, a floor nozzle communicating with said suction creating means through said port and having. an agitator operatively associated therewith and a driving connection between said motor and agitator-including a shaft promoting a through said port and a belt arrangedin driving relationship with said shaft, said attachment comprising a .sleeve having provision for connecting a suction cleaning tool thereto and adapted to be seated on said port with said shaft and that part of said belt in engagement therewith disposed within said sleeve, a belt lifter movably arranged within said sleeve and adapted when said sleeve is initially. connected to said port to project between the strands of said belt on one side of said shaft. said belt lifter being supported so that upon movement relative to said sleeve said belt lifter will swing in an are about said shaft and lift said belt out of driving engagement therewith, said belt lifter having a portion arranged, when said belt is out of engagement with said shaft, so as to extend across that part of said sleeve across which said belt extends and on the upstream side thereof, said portion of said belt lifter presenting a convex surface toward the upstream side of said sleeve.

8. A suction cleaner including a motor having a shaft a fan driven thereby and having an air inlet port, a floor nozzle, a communication between said nozzle and said port, an agitator op- -eratively associated with said nozzle. a belt in driving relationship with said shaft andagitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and extending through said communication,

said communication having a normallyclosed.

. belt shifter being supported by said coupling so belt lifter will swing in an are about said shaft and lift said belt out of driving engagementtherewith, said belt lifter having a belt and shaft shielding portion arranged on the upstream side of and in front of said belt and shaft; when said belt is out of engagement with said shaft, so'as to prevent foreign matter from collecting on said that when the same is connected with said port, said belt shifter can move in a' path about said shaft and lift'said belt out of driving relation therewith, and means disposed on the upstream side of said belt and shaft when said coupling is 'passing m.

connected to said port, and which means are arranged. when said belt is out of driving relation with said shaft, so as to shield said shaft and Mid belt from foreign matter carried by the air through the converter coupling when in omit-n. summon. 

